Wireless power transfer—near field communication enabled communication device

ABSTRACT

Various configurations and arrangements of various communication devices are disclosed. Various integrated circuits that form these communication devices can be fabricated onto one or more semiconductor substrates, chips, and/or dies using a high voltage semiconductor process, a low voltage semiconductor process, or any combination thereof. Some of these high voltage and/or low voltage semiconductor process integrated circuits can be fabricated along with other high voltage and/or low voltage semiconductor process integrated circuits of other modules onto a single semiconductor substrate, chip, and/or die. This allows the low voltage semiconductor process integrated circuits and/or high voltage semiconductor process integrated circuits of one module to be combined with low voltage semiconductor process integrated circuits and/or high voltage semiconductor process integrated circuits of another module of the communication device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a division of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 13/595,020, filed Aug. 27, 2012, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Field of Disclosure

The present disclosure relates generally to a communication device, andmore specifically to implementing of wireless power transfer (WPT) andnear field communication (NFC) within the communication device.

Related Art

Cellular phones have evolved from large devices that were only capableof analog voice communications to comparatively smaller devices that arecapable of digital voice communications and digital data communications,such as Short Message Service (SMS) for text messaging, email, packetswitching for access to the Internet, gaming, Bluetooth, and MultimediaMessaging Service (MMS) to provide some examples. In addition to thesecapabilities, the cellular phones of today have additionalnon-communication related capabilities, such audio and/or videorecording to provide an examples, and software applications such as acalendar and a phone book, to provide some examples. Even in light ofthese capabilities, manufacturers of cellular phones are placing evenmore capabilities into cellular phones and making these more powercellular phones smaller. For example, the manufacturers are placingwireless power transfer (WPT) capabilities in cellular phones to allowthese WPT enabled cellular phones to wireless charge their internalbatteries from a wireless power source without the use of a wiredconnection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS/FIGURES

Embodiments of the disclosure are described with reference to theaccompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicateidentical or functionally similar elements. Additionally, the left mostdigit(s) of a reference number identifies the drawing in which thereference number first appears.

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a first exemplary wireless powertransfer (WPT) enabled communication device according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 further illustrates the block diagram of the first exemplary WPTenabled communication device according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary front end module that can be implementedwithin the first exemplary WPT enabled communication device according toan exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of a second exemplary WPT enabledcommunication device according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure; and

FIG. 5 further illustrates the block diagram of the second exemplary WPTenabled communication device according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

The disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers generally indicateidentical, functionally similar, and/or structurally similar elements.The drawing in which an element first appears is indicated by theleftmost digit(s) in the reference number.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The following Detailed Description refers to accompanying drawings toillustrate exemplary embodiments consistent with the disclosure.References in the Detailed Description to “one exemplary embodiment,”“an exemplary embodiment,” “an example exemplary embodiment,” etc.,indicate that the exemplary embodiment described can include aparticular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every exemplaryembodiment can not necessarily include the particular feature,structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarilyreferring to the same exemplary embodiment. Further, when a particularfeature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with anexemplary embodiment, it is within the knowledge of those skilled in therelevant art(s) to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic inconnection with other exemplary embodiments whether or not explicitlydescribed.

The exemplary embodiments described herein are provided for illustrativepurposes, and are not limiting. Other exemplary embodiments arepossible, and modifications can be made to the exemplary embodimentswithin the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Therefore, the DetailedDescription is not meant to limit the disclosure. Rather, the scope ofthe disclosure is defined only in accordance with the following claimsand their equivalents.

Embodiments of the disclosure can be implemented in hardware, firmware,software, or any combination thereof. Embodiments of the disclosure canalso be implemented as instructions stored on a machine-readable medium,which can be read and executed by one or more processors. Amachine-readable medium can include any mechanism for storing ortransmitting information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., acomputing device). For example, a machine-readable medium can includenon-transitory machine-readable mediums such as read only memory (ROM);random access memory (RAM); magnetic disk storage media; optical storagemedia; flash memory devices; and others. As another example, themachine-readable medium can include transitory machine-readable mediumsuch as electrical, optical, acoustical, or other forms of propagatedsignals (e.g., carrier waves, infrared signals, digital signals, etc.).Further, firmware, software, routines, instructions can be describedherein as performing certain actions. However, it should be appreciatedthat such descriptions are merely for convenience and that such actionsin fact result from computing devices, processors, controllers, or otherdevices executing the firmware, software, routines, instructions, etc.

The following Detailed Description of the exemplary embodiments will sofully reveal the general nature of the disclosure that others can, byapplying knowledge of those skilled in relevant art(s), readily modifyand/or adapt for various applications such exemplary embodiments,without undue experimentation, without departing from the spirit andscope of the disclosure. Therefore, such adaptations and modificationsare intended to be within the meaning and plurality of equivalents ofthe exemplary embodiments based upon the teaching and guidance presentedherein. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminologyherein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, suchthat the terminology or phraseology of the present specification is tobe interpreted by those skilled in relevant art(s) in light of theteachings herein.

For purposes of this discussion, the term “module” shall be understoodto include at least one of software, firmware, and hardware (such as oneor more circuits, microchips, or devices, or any combination thereof),and any combination thereof. In addition, it will be understood thateach module can include one, or more than one, component within anactual device, and each component that forms a part of the describedmodule can function either cooperatively or independently of any othercomponent forming a part of the module. Conversely, multiple modulesdescribed herein can represent a single component within an actualdevice. Further, components within a module can be in a single device ordistributed among multiple devices in a wired or wireless manner.

Overview

The following Detailed Description describes various configurations andarrangements of various wireless power transfer (WPT) enabledcommunication devices. The WPT enabled communication devices includevarious integrated circuits that can be fabricated onto one or moresemiconductor substrates, chips, and/or dies using a high voltagesemiconductor process, a low voltage semiconductor process, or anycombination thereof. Some of these integrated circuits that arefabricated with the high and the low voltage semiconductor processes canbe fabricated onto a single semiconductor substrate, chip, and/or diealong with other integrated circuits that also are fabricated with thehigh and the low voltage semiconductor processes. This allows theintegrated circuits of one module to be combined with integratedcircuits of another module of the WPT enabled communication device.

First Exemplary WPT Enabled Communication Device

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a first exemplary WPT enabledcommunication device according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure. A WPT enabled communication device 100 communicatesinformation over wired and/or wireless communication networks inaccordance with various communication standards. The WPT enabledcommunication device 100 can represent a mobile communication device,such as a cellular phone or a smartphone, a mobile computing device,such as a tablet computer or a laptop computer, or any other electronicdevice that is capable of communicating information over communicationnetworks that will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art(s)without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.The WPT enabled communication device 100 can include a near fieldcommunication (NFC)/wireless power transfer (WPT) module 102, aBluetooth Module 104, a Global Position System (GPS) module 106, acellular module 108, a secure element 110, a host processor 112, awireless local area network (WLAN) module 114, or any combinationthereof which are communicatively coupled to one another via acommunication interface 116. It should be noted that the WPT enabledcommunication device 100 need not include all of: the NFC/WPT module102, the Bluetooth Module 104, the GPS module 106, the cellular module108, the secure element 110, the host processor 112, and/or the WLANmodule 114. Those skilled it the relevant art(s) will recognize thatother configurations and arrangements of the WPT enabled communicationdevice 100 are possible without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe present disclosure. Additionally, those skilled in the relevantart(s) will also recognize that the NFC/WPT module 102, the BluetoothModule 104, the GPS module 106, the cellular module 108, the secureelement 110, the host processor 112, and/or the WLAN module 114 need notbe communicatively coupled to one another via a communication interface116. In these situations, those modules that are communicatively coupledto the communication interface 116 can independently communicate withother communication enabled devices without internal communication.

The NFC/WPT module 102 provides wireless communication between the WPTenabled communication device 100 and another NFC capable device inaccordance with various NFC standards. The NFC/WPT module 102 isconfigurable to operate in an initiator, or a reader, mode of operationto initiate communications with another NFC capable device or in atarget, or a tag, mode of operation to receive communications fromanother NFC capable device. Additionally, the NFC/WPT module 102 canderive or harvest power from communications received from this other NFCcapable device when operating in the tag mode of operation. Typically,the power derived or harvested from the received communications isadequate to operate the NFC/WPT module 102 and/or the secure element110.

Additionally, the NFC/WPT module 102 supports wireless transmission ofpower, referred to as WPT, from a wireless power transmitter or anothersimilar electronic device that emits a magnetic field. The NFC/WPTmodule 102 can derive or harvest power from a received WPT signal, suchas a magnetic resonance that is provided by the wireless powertransmitter. Typically, this power derived or harvested from thereceived WPT signal is adequate to operate at least the NFC/WPT module102 and the secure element 110.

The Bluetooth Module 104 provides wireless communication between the WPTenabled communication device 100 and another Bluetooth capable device inaccordance with various Bluetooth or Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)standards. The Bluetooth Module 104 is configurable to operate in amaster mode of operation to initiate communications with anotherBluetooth capable device or in a slave mode of operation to receivecommunications from another Bluetooth capable device.

The GPS Module 106 receives various signals from various satellites tocalculate a position of the WPT enabled communication device 100. TheGPS Module 106 is typically implemented using a Global NavigationSatellite System (GNSS) receiver that uses the GPS, GLONASS, Galileoand/or Beidou systems for calculating the position of the WPT enabledcommunication device 100.

The cellular module 108 provides wireless communication between the WPTenabled communication device 100 and another cellular capable deviceover a cellular network in accordance with various cellularcommunication standards such as a Generation Partnership Project (3GPP)Long Term Evolution (LTE) communications standard, a fourth generation(4G) mobile communications standard, or a third generation (3G) mobilecommunications standard to provide some examples. The cellular module108 can communicate with one or more transceivers, referred to as basestations or access points, within the cellular network to provide voiceor data communications between the WPT enabled communication device 100and another cellular capable device. The transceivers are oftenconnected to a cellular telephone exchange that connects to a publictelephone network or to another cellular telephone exchange within thecellular network.

The secure element 110 securely stores applications and/or informationsuch as payment information, authentication information, ticketinginformation, and/or marketing information to provide some examples,within the WPT enabled communication device 100 and provides for anenvironment to secure execution of these applications. The secureelement 110 can be implemented as a separate secure smart card chip, ina subscriber identity module (SIM)/Universal Integrated Circuit Card(UICC), or in a secure digital (SD) card that can be inserted in the WPTenabled communication device 100.

The host processor 112 controls overall operation and/or configurationof the WPT enabled communication device 100. The host processor 112 canreceive information from a user interface such as a touch-screendisplay, an alphanumeric keypad, a microphone, a mouse, a speaker,and/or from other electrical devices or host devices that are coupled tothe WPT enabled communication device 100. The host processor 112 canprovide this information to the NFC/WPT module 102, the Bluetooth Module104, the GPS module 106, the cellular module 108, the secure element110, and/or the WLAN module 114. Additionally, the host processor 112can receive information from the NFC/WPT module 102, the BluetoothModule 104, the Global Position System (GPS) module 106, the cellularmodule 108, the secure element 110, and/or the WLAN module 114. The hostprocessor 112 can provide this information to the user interface, toother electrical devices or host devices, and/or to the NFC/WPT module102, the Bluetooth Module 104, the GPS module 106, the cellular module108, the secure element 110, and/or the WLAN module 114. Further, thehost processor 112 can execute one or more applications such as ShortMessage Service (SMS) for text messaging, electronic mailing, and/oraudio and/or video recording to provide some examples, and/or softwareapplications such as a calendar and/or a phone book to provide someexamples.

The WLAN module 114 provides wireless communication between the WPTenabled communication device 100 and another WLAN capable device over awired and/or wireless communication network in accordance with variousnetworking protocols such a Worldwide Interoperability for MicrowaveAccess (WiMAX) communications standard or a Wi-Fi communicationsstandard to provide some examples. The WLAN module 114 can operate as anaccess point to provide communications between other WLAN capabledevices and a communication network or as a client to communicate withanother access point, such as a wireless router to provide an example,to access the communication network.

The communication interface 116 routes various communications betweenthe NFC/WPT module 102, the Bluetooth Module 104, the GPS module 106,the cellular module 108, the secure element 110, the host processor 112,and/or the WLAN module 114. These communications can include variousdigital signals, such as one or more commands and/or data to providesome examples, various analog signals, such as direct current (DC)currents and/or voltages to provide some examples, or any combinationthereof. The communication interface 116, as well as other communicationinterfaces that are discussed below, can be implemented as a series ofwired and/or wireless interconnections between the NFC/WPT module 102,the Bluetooth Module 104, the GPS module 106, the cellular module 108,the secure element 110, the host processor 112, and/or the WLAN module114. The interconnections of communication interface 116, as well asinterconnections of other communication interfaces that are discussedbelow, can be arranged to form a parallel interface to carrycommunications between various modules of the WPT enabled communicationdevice 100 in parallel using multiple conductors, a serial interface tocarry communications between various modules of the WPT enabledcommunication device 100 using a single conductor, or any combinationthereof.

Further Illustration of the First Exemplary WPT Enabled CommunicationDevice

Typically, a WPT enabled communication device, such as the WPT enabledcommunication device 100 to provide an example, includes one or moreintegrated circuits that are configured and arranged to form one or moremodules, such as the NFC/WPT module 102, the Bluetooth Module 104, theGPS module 106, the cellular module 108, the secure element 110, thehost processor 112, and/or the WLAN module 114 to provide some examples.These integrated circuits can be fabricated onto one or moresemiconductor substrates, chips, and/or dies using a high voltagesemiconductor process, referred to as high voltage semiconductor processintegrated circuits, a low voltage semiconductor process, referred to aslow voltage semiconductor process integrated circuits, or anycombination thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, the high voltagesemiconductor process is a Bipolar Complementary Metal OxideSemiconductor (BiCMOS) process and the low voltage semiconductor processis a 28 nm or 40 nm CMOS process. However, other high voltage and/or lowvoltage semiconductor processes are possible as will be apparent tothose skilled in the relevant art(s) without departing from the spiritand scope of the present invention.

Generally, the high voltage semiconductor process integrated circuitscan operate at greater power levels, such as greater voltages and/orgreater currents, when compared to the low voltage semiconductor processintegrated circuits. The high voltage semiconductor process integratedcircuits occupy more real estate, namely have larger physicaldimensions, in comparison to the low voltage semiconductor processintegrated circuits. These larger physical dimensions allow the highvoltage semiconductor process integrated circuits to operate at thegreater power levels. However, these larger physical dimensionsundesirably increase parasitic components, such as capacitance,inductance, and/or resistance to provide some examples, within the highvoltage semiconductor process integrated circuits. As a result, the highvoltage semiconductor process integrated circuits typically operate atlesser speeds when compared to the low voltage semiconductor processintegrated circuits.

FIG. 2 further illustrates the block diagram of the first exemplary WPTenabled communication device according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent disclosure. A WPT enabled communication device 200 includes oneor more integrated circuits that are configured and arranged to form oneor more modules that are used to communicate information over wiredand/or wireless communication networks in accordance with variouscommunication standards. Some of these modules, or portions thereof,that operate at greater power levels can be fabricated using the highvoltage semiconductor process. These modules, or these portions thereof,cannot safely and reliably operate at these greater power levels iffabricated using the low voltage semiconductor process. Other modules ofthe WPT enabled communication device 200, or portions thereof, thatoperate at greater speeds are typically formed using the low voltagesemiconductor process. These modules, or these portions thereof, cannotreliably operate at these greater speeds if fabricated using the highvoltage semiconductor process. Additional modules, or portions thereof,that neither operate at the greater power levels nor the greater speedsare typically formed using the low voltage semiconductor process todecrease their occupied real estate when compared to being formed usingthe high voltage semiconductor process.

The WPT enabled communication device 200 includes an NFC/WPT module 202,a cellular module 204, and a secure element 206 which arecommunicatively coupled to one another via a communication interface208. The WPT enabled communication device 200 can represent an exemplaryembodiment of the WPT enabled communication device 100. As such, theNFC/WPT module 202, the cellular module 204, the secure element 206, andthe communication interface 208 can represent an exemplary embodiment ofthe NFC/WPT module 102, the cellular module 108, the secure element 110,and the communication interface 116, respectively. Additionally, the WPTenabled communication device 200 can further include a Bluetooth Module,a GPS module, a host processor, and/or a WLAN module such as theBluetooth Module 104, the GPS module 106, the host processor 112, and/orthe WLAN module 114, respectively. The Bluetooth Module, the GPS module,the host processor, and/or the WLAN module are communicatively coupledto the NFC/WPT module 202, the cellular module 204, and/or the secureelement 206 via the communication interface 208.

The NFC/WPT module 202 provides wireless communication between the WPTenabled communication device 200 and another NFC capable device inaccordance with various NFC standards in the reader or in the tag modeof operations as well as WPT from the wireless power transmitter in asubstantially similar manner as the NFC/WPT module 102. The NFC/WPTmodule 202 includes a front end module 210 and an NFC controller 212.

The front end module 210 provides an interface between the NFC/WPTmodule 202 and another NFC capable device and/or the wireless powertransmitter. The front end module 210 receives a received WPT signal 250from the wireless power transmitter. The front end module 210 derives orharvests power from the received WPT signal 250 to provide a harvestedWPT power to a FEM-CI communication interface 252 for routing to theNFC/WPT module 202, the cellular module 204, the secure element 206and/or other modules within the WPT enabled communication device 200 viathe communications interface 208. In an exemplary embodiment, thecommunication interface 208 routes the harvested WPT power from theFEM-CI communication interface 252 to a power management unit (PMU) 214of the cellular module 204.

Additionally, when the NFC/WPT module 202 is operating in the readermode of operation, the front end module 210 generates a magnetic field,referred to as a transmitted NFC signal 256, which is then modulated byanother NFC capable device with information to form a received NFCsignal 254. The front end module 210 can also modulate the magneticfield with information, such as data and/or one or more commands, thatis received from a FEM-CTRLR communication interface 258 to form thetransmitted NFC signal 256 when the NFC/WPT module 202 is operating inthe reader mode of operation. Alternatively, when the NFC/WPT module 202is operating in the tag mode of operation, the front end module 210inductively receives the received NFC signal 254 which represents amagnetic field generated by another NFC capable device that can bemodulated with information. The front end module 210 can also modulatethe magnetic field with information, such as data and/or one or morecommands, that is received from a FEM-CTRLR communication interface 258to form the transmitted NFC signal 256 when the NFC/WPT module 202 isoperating in the tag mode of operation. Optionally, the front end module210 derives or harvests power from the received NFC signal 254 toprovide a harvested NFC power to the NFC controller 212 via theFEM-CTRLR communication interface 258.

The front end module 210 recovers then provides information from thereceived NFC signal 254 to the controller module 212 via the FEM-CTRLRcommunication interface 258 when the NFC/WPT module 202 is operating inthe reader and tag modes of operation. Specifically, the front endmodule 210 converts its own magnetic field when the NFC/WPT module 202is operating in the reader mode of operation or the magnetic fieldgenerated by another NFC capable device when the NFC/WPT module 202 isoperating in the tag mode of operation into a voltage and/or a currentand recovers the information from the voltage and/or the current.

The NFC controller 212 controls overall operation and/or configurationof the NFC/WPT module 202. The NFC controller 212 receives informationand/or the harvested NFC power from the front end module 210 via theFEM-CTRLR communication interface 258. Additionally, the NFC controller212 can route the information and/or the harvested NFC power from theFEM-CTRLR communication interface 258 to a CTRLR-CI communicationinterface 260 for routing to the NFC/WPT module 202, the cellular module204, the secure element 206, and/or other modules within the WPT enabledcommunication device 200 via the communication interface 208. Further,the NFC controller 212 can receive information from the NFC/WPT module202, the cellular module 204, the secure element 206, and/or othermodules within the WPT enabled communication device 200 via the CTRLR-CIcommunication interface 260. The NFC controller 212 can route theinformation received from the CTRLR-CI communication interface 260 tothe front end module 210 via the FEM-CTRLR communication interface 258.Further, the NFC controller 212 can execute one or more commandsprovided by the information from the FEM-CTRLR communication interface258 and/or the CTRLR-CI communication interface 260 to control overalloperation and/or configuration of the NFC/WPT module 202.

Typically, the NFC/WPT module 202 is fabricated using the high voltagesemiconductor process to form a first portion of the NFC/WPT module 202,namely the front end module 210, and the low voltage semiconductorprocess to form a second portion of the NFC/WPT module 202, namely theNFC controller 212. The high voltage semiconductor process can be usedto form high voltage semiconductor process integrated circuits of thefront end module 210 while the low voltage semiconductor process can beused to form low voltage semiconductor process integrated circuits ofthe NFC controller 212. The high voltage semiconductor processintegrated circuits of the front end module 210 and the low voltagesemiconductor process integrated circuits of the NFC controller 212 canbe fabricated onto a single semiconductor substrate. Alternatively, thehigh voltage semiconductor process integrated circuits of the front endmodule 210 and the low voltage semiconductor process integrated circuitsof the NFC controller 212 can be fabricated onto multiple semiconductorsubstrates, chips, and/or dies. In this alternative, the high voltagesemiconductor process integrated circuits of the front end module 210can be fabricated onto a first semiconductor substrate from among themultiple semiconductor substrates, chips, and/or dies and the lowvoltage semiconductor process integrated circuits of the NFC controller212 can be fabricated onto a second semiconductor substrate from amongthe multiple semiconductor substrates, chips, and/or dies.

The cellular module 204 provides wireless communication between the WPTenabled communication device 200 and another cellular capable deviceover a cellular network in accordance with various cellularcommunication standards in a substantially similar manner as thecellular module 108. The cellular module 204 includes the PMU 214, abaseband module 216, and a radio frequency module 218.

The PMU 214 is responsible for battery and power system management ofthe cellular module 204 and/or the WPT enabled communication device 200.The PMU 214 receives various power signals from the NFC/WPT module 202,the cellular module 204, the secure element 206, and/or other moduleswithin the WPT enabled communication device 200 from the communicationinterface 208 via a PMU-CI communication interface 262. In an exemplaryembodiment, the PMU 214 receives the harvested WPT power from theNFC/WPT module 202 via the PMU-CI communication interface 262. In thisexemplary embodiment, the PMU 214 can use the harvested WPT power toform various power signals and route these various power signals to thePMU-CI communication interface 262 to provide power to the NFC/WPTmodule 202, the secure element 206, and/or other modules within the WPTenabled communication device 200 via the communication interface 208.The PMU 214 can monitor the power signals received from the PMU-CIcommunication interface 262 to monitor current, voltages, and/ortemperature readings within the WPT enabled communication device 200.Additionally, the PMU 214 can use the power signals received from thePMU-CI communication interface 262 to monitor power connections andbattery charges and/or to charge batteries when necessary. Further, thePMU 214 can use the power signals received from the PMU-CI communicationinterface 262 to control and/or to provide other power signals to thePMU-CI communication interface 262 to provide power to the NFC/WPTmodule 202, the secure element 206, and/or other modules within the WPTenabled communication device 200 via the communication interface 208.

The baseband module 216 controls operation of the cellular module 204.The baseband module 216 receives information from the radio frequencymodule 218 via a BB-RFM communication interface 264. Additionally, thebaseband module 216 can provide the information from the BB-RFMcommunication interface 264 to a BB-CI communication interface 266 forrouting to the NFC/WPT module 202, the secure element 206, and/or othermodules within the WPT enabled communication device 200 via thecommunication interface 208. Further, the baseband module 216 canreceive information from the NFC/WPT module 202, the secure element 206,and/or other modules within the WPT enabled communication device 200from the communications interface 208 via the BB-CI communicationinterface 266. The baseband module 216 can route the informationreceived from the BB-CI communication interface 266 to the radiofrequency module 218 via the BB-RFM communication interface 264.Further, the baseband module 216 can execute one or more commandsprovided by the information from the BB-RFM communication interface 264and/or the BB-CI communication interface 266 to control overalloperation and/or configuration of the cellular module 204.

The radio frequency module 218 downconverts, demodulates, and/or decodesa received cellular communication signal 270 to provide information tothe baseband module 216 via the BB-RFM communication interface 264. Theradio frequency module 218 can convert the received cellularcommunication signal 270 from an analog representation to a digitalrepresentation. The radio frequency module 218 upconverts, modulates,and/or encodes information received from the baseband module 216 via theBB-RFM communication interface 264 to provide a transmitted cellularcommunication signal 272. The radio frequency module 218 can convert theinformation received from the BB-RFM communication interface 264 from adigital representation to an analog representation.

Typically, the cellular module 204 is fabricated using the high voltagesemiconductor process to form the PMU 214 and the low voltagesemiconductor process to form the baseband module 216 and the radiofrequency module 218. The high voltage semiconductor process can be usedto form high voltage semiconductor process integrated circuits of thePMU 214 while the low voltage semiconductor process can be used to formlow voltage semiconductor process integrated circuits of the basebandmodule 216 and the radio frequency module 218. The high voltagesemiconductor process integrated circuits of the PMU 214 and the lowvoltage semiconductor process integrated circuits of the baseband module216 and the radio frequency module 218 can be fabricated onto a singlesemiconductor substrate. Alternatively, the high voltage semiconductorprocess integrated circuits of the PMU 214 and the low voltagesemiconductor process integrated circuits of the baseband module 216 andthe radio frequency module 218 can be fabricated onto multiplesemiconductor substrates, chips, and/or dies. In this alternative, thehigh voltage semiconductor process integrated circuits of the PMU 214can be fabricated onto a first semiconductor substrate from among themultiple semiconductor substrates, chips, and/or dies and the lowvoltage semiconductor process integrated circuits of the baseband module216 and the radio frequency module 218 can be fabricated onto a secondsemiconductor substrate, or substrates, from among the multiplesemiconductor substrates, chips, and/or dies. In some situations, othermodules of the WPT enabled communication device 200 that are fabricatedusing the low voltage semiconductor process, such as the NFC controller212 to provide an example, can also be fabricate on the singlesemiconductor substrate and/or the multiple semiconductor substrates,chips, and/or dies along with the baseband module 216 and the radiofrequency module 218. In others situations, other modules of the WPTenabled communication device 200 that are fabricated using the highvoltage semiconductor process, such as the front end module 210 toprovide an example, can also be fabricate on the single semiconductorsubstrate and/or the multiple semiconductor substrates, chips, and/ordies along with the PMU 214.

The secure element 206 securely stores applications and/or informationwithin the WPT enabled communication device 200 and provides for anenvironment to secure execution of these applications in a substantiallysimilar manner as the secure element 110. The secure element 206 canreceive the applications and/or the information from the NFC/WPT module202, the cellular module 204, and/or other modules within the WPTenabled communication device 200 from the communication interface 208via a SE-CI communication interface 268. The secure element 206 canprovide the information and/or other information generated by toapplications to the SE-CI communication interface 268 for routing ontothe NFC/WPT module 202, the cellular module 204, and/or other moduleswithin the WPT enabled communication device 200 via the communicationinterface 208.

Exemplary Front End Module that can be Implemented within the FirstExemplary WPT Enabled Communication Device

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary front end module that can be implementedwithin the first exemplary WPT enabled communication device according toan exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. A front end module300 provides an interface between a WPT enabled communication device,such as the WPT enabled communication device 100 or the WPT enabledcommunication device 200 to provide some examples, and an NFC capabledevice and/or a wireless power transmitter. The front end module 300inductively receives various signals from the NFC capable device and/orthe wireless power transmitter and recovers information and variouspower signals from these various signals. The front end module 300includes an NFC modulator module 302, an antenna module 304, an NFCdemodulator module 306, an NFC power harvesting module 308, and a WPTpower harvesting module 310. The front end module 300 can represent anexemplary embodiment of the front end module 210.

The NFC modulator module 302 modulates transmission information 350 ontoa carrier wave, such as a radio frequency carrier wave having afrequency of approximately 13.56 MHz to provide an example, using anysuitable analog or digital modulation technique to provide a modulatedinformation signal 352 when the WPT enabled communication device isoperating in the reader mode of operation. The suitable analog ordigital modulation technique may include amplitude modulation (AM),frequency modulation (FM), phase modulation (PM), phase shift keying(PSK), frequency shift keying (FSK), amplitude shift keying (ASK),quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) and/or any other suitablemodulation technique that will be apparent to those skilled in therelevant art(s). The transmission information 350 can be received fromother modules of the WPT enabled communication device over acommunication interface, such as the FEM-CTRLR communication interface258 to provide an example. In some situations, the NFC modulator module302 can simply provide the carrier wave as the modulated informationsignal 352. Additionally, the NFC modulator module 302 can modulate thetransmission information 350 using the suitable analog or digitalmodulation technique to provide the modulated information signal 352when the WPT enabled communication device is operating in the tag modeof operation.

The antenna module 304 inductively receives the received WPT signal 250from the wireless power transmitter to provide a recovered WPT signal360 and/or the received NFC signal 254 from another NFC capable deviceto provide a recovered NFC signal 354. The antenna module 304 caninclude a first inductive coupling element such as a first resonanttuned circuit to provide an example, that is tuned to receive thereceived WPT signal 250 and a second inductive coupling element such asa second resonant tuned circuit to provide an example, that is tuned toreceive the received NFC signal 254. For example, the first inductivecoupling element can be tuned between approximately 100 kHz and 250 kHzto receive the received WPT signal 250 and the second element can betuned to approximately 13.56 MHz to receive the received NFC signal 254.Alternatively, the antenna module 304 can include a single inductivecoupling element such as a resonant tuned circuit to provide an example,that is tuned to receive the received WPT signal 250 and the receivedNFC signal 254. In this alternate, the single inductive coupling elementcan resonant at a first frequency to receive the received WPT signal 250and a second frequency to receive the received NFC signal 254.Alternatively, the single inductive coupling element can represent awideband coupling element that can receive the received WPT signal 250and the received NFC signal 254.

Additionally, the antenna module 304 provides the transmitted NFC signal256 based upon the modulated information signal 352. When the WPTenabled communication device is operating in the reader mode ofoperation, the antenna module 304 applies the modulated informationsignal 352 to the second inductive coupling element or the singleinductive coupling element to generate a magnetic field that representsthe transmitted NFC signal 256. Alternatively, the antenna module 304can apply the modulated information signal 352 to the second inductivecoupling element or the single inductive coupling element to modulate amagnetic field that is inductively coupled onto either of theseinductive coupling elements with the modulated information signal 352 toprovide the transmitted NFC signal 256.

The NFC demodulator module 306 demodulates the recovered NFC signal 354using any suitable analog or digital demodulation technique to provide arecovered information signal 356. The suitable analog or digitalmodulation technique may include amplitude modulation (AM), frequencymodulation (FM), phase modulation (PM), phase shift keying (PSK),frequency shift keying (FSK), amplitude shift keying (ASK), quadratureamplitude modulation (QAM) and/or any other suitable modulationtechnique that will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art(s).The recovered information signal 356 can be provided to other modules ofthe WPT enabled communication device over a communication interface,such as the FEM-CTRLR communication interface 258 to provide an example.

The NFC power harvesting module 308 derives or harvests power from therecovered NFC signal 354 to provide a harvested NFC power 358. In anexemplary embodiment, the NFC power harvesting module 308 includes arectifier to rectify the recovered NFC signal 354 to provide a rectifiedNFC power. In this exemplary embodiment, the NFC power harvesting module308 additionally includes a regulator to regulate the rectified NFCpower to provide the harvested NFC power 358. In some situations, theharvested NFC power 358 can be provided to other modules of the WPTenabled communication device over a communication interface, such as theFEM-CTRLR communication interface 258 to provide an example.

The WPT power harvesting module 310 derives or harvests power from therecovered WPT signal 360 to provide a harvested WPT power 362. In anexemplary embodiment, the WPT power harvesting module 310 includes arectifier to rectify the recovered WPT signal 360 to provide a rectifiedWPT power. In this exemplary embodiment, the WPT power harvesting module310 additionally includes a regulator to regulate the rectified WPTpower to provide the harvested WPT power 362. In some situations, theharvested WPT power 362 can be provided to other modules of the WPTenabled communication device over a communication interface, such as theFEM-CI communication interface 252 to provide an example.

Second Exemplary WPT Enabled Communication Device

Generally, a WPT enabled communication device, such as the WPT enabledcommunication device 100 or the WPT enabled communication device 200 toprovide some examples can be fabricated onto multiple semiconductorsubstrates, chips, and/or dies that are communicatively coupled to oneanother. Some of the multiple semiconductor substrates, chips, and/ordies can be fabricated using a high voltage semiconductor process whileother semiconductor substrates, chips, and/or dies be fabricated using alow voltage semiconductor process. This allows various combinations ofmodules of the WPT enabled communication device that are fabricatedusing the high voltage semiconductor to combined onto one or more firstsemiconductor substrates, chips, and/or dies while those modules of theWPT enabled communication device that are fabricated using the lowvoltage semiconductor can be combined onto one or more secondsemiconductor substrates, chips, and/or dies. As a result, OriginalEquipment Manufacturers (OEMs) can offer multiple product lines for theWPT enabled communication device that have varying capabilities aroundthe one or more first semiconductor substrates, chips, and/or diesand/or the second set of one or more semiconductor packages and/or theone or more second semiconductor substrates, chips, and/or dies. Forexample, OEMs can combine the front end module 210 and the PMU 214 ontoa single semiconductor substrate, chip, and/or die that can beuniversally coupled to various combinations of the NFC controller 212,the baseband module 216, and the radio frequency module 218.

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of a second exemplary WPT enabledcommunication device according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure. A WPT enabled communication device 400 includes one or moreintegrated circuits that are configured and arranged to form one or moremodules that are used to communicate information over wired and/orwireless communication networks in accordance with various communicationstandards. Some of these modules, or portions thereof, that operate atgreater power levels can be fabricated using the high voltagesemiconductor process while other modules that operated at greaterspeeds are typically formed using the low voltage semiconductor process.Some of those modules that are fabricated using the high voltagesemiconductor can be combined onto one or more first semiconductorsubstrates, chips, and/or dies while those modules that are fabricatedusing the low voltage semiconductor can be combined onto one or moresecond semiconductor substrates, chips, and/or dies. The WPT enabledcommunication device 400 includes the secure element 110, the hostprocessor 112, a combined front end/PMU module 402, a combinedbaseband/NFC controller module 404, and a combined RF/WLAN/Bluetooth/GPSmodule 406.

A front end module, such as the front end module 210 to provide anexample, and a PMU, such as the PMU 214 to provide an example, can befabricated using the high voltage semiconductor process. This allows thefront end module and the PMU to be fabricated onto a singlesemiconductor substrate, chip, and/or die to form the combined frontend/PMU module 402. The combined front end/PMU module 402 provides aninterface between the combined front end/PMU module 402 and another NFCcapable device and/or wireless power transmitter in a substantiallysimilar manner as the front end module 210. Additionally, combined frontend/PMU module 402 is responsible for battery and power systemmanagement the WPT enabled communication device 400 in a substantiallysimilar manner as the PMU 214.

A baseband module, such as the baseband module 216 to provide anexample, and an NFC controller module, such as the NFC controller 212 toprovide an example, example, can be fabricated using the low voltagesemiconductor process. This allows the baseband module and the NFCcontroller module to be fabricated onto a single semiconductorsubstrate, chip, and/or die to form the combined baseband/NFC controllermodule 404. The combined baseband/NFC controller module 404 controlscellular and NFC communications of the WPT enabled communication device400 in a substantially similar manner as the baseband module 216 and theNFC controller 212, respectively.

A radio frequency module, such as the radio frequency module 218 toprovide an example, a WLAN module, such as the WLAN module 114 toprovide an example, a Bluetooth module, such as the Bluetooth Module 104to provide an example, a GPS module, such as the GPS module 106 toprovide an example, can be fabricated using the low voltagesemiconductor process. This allows the RF module, the WLAN module, theBluetooth module, and the GPS module to be fabricated onto a singlesemiconductor substrate, chip, and/or die to form the combinedRF/WLAN/Bluetooth/GPS module 406. The combined RF/WLAN/Bluetooth/GPSmodule 406 provides cellular, wireless network, and Bluetoothcommunication in a substantially similar manner as the radio frequencymodule 218, the WLAN module 114, and the Bluetooth Module 104,respectively. Additionally, the combined RF/WLAN/Bluetooth/GPS module406 can calculate the position of the WPT enabled communication device400 in a substantially similar manner as the GPS module 106.

The combined front end/PMU module 402, the combined baseband/NFCcontroller module 404, and/or the combined RF/WLAN/Bluetooth/GPS module406 effectively split or separate NFC and/or cellular communicationcapabilities of the WPT enabled communication device 400 over multiplemodules. For example, the combined front end/PMU module 402 and thecombined baseband/NFC controller module 404 operate in conjunction withone another to provide wireless communication between the WPT enabledcommunication device 400 and another NFC capable device in accordancewith various NFC standards. As another example, the combinedbaseband/NFC controller module 404 and the combinedRF/WLAN/Bluetooth/GPS 406 operate in conjunction with one another toprovide wireless communication between the WPT enabled communicationdevice 400 and another cellular capable device over a cellular networkin accordance with various cellular communication standards. However,these examples are not limiting, those skilled in the relevant art(s)will recognize that various modules of the WPT enabled communicationdevice 400 can be combined differently without departing from the spiritand scope of the present invention. For example, the secure element 110and the host processor 112 can be fabricated onto a single semiconductorsubstrate, chip, and/or die to form a combined processor/secure elementmodule.

Further Illustration of the Second Exemplary WPT Enabled CommunicationDevice

FIG. 5 further illustrates the block diagram of the second exemplary WPTenabled communication device according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent disclosure. A WPT enabled communication device 500 includes oneor more integrated circuits that are configured and arranged to form oneor more modules that are used to communicate information over wiredand/or wireless communication networks in accordance with variouscommunication standards. Some of these modules, or portions thereof,that operate at greater power levels can be fabricated using the highvoltage semiconductor process. Some of these modules, or portionsthereof, that are fabricated using the high voltage semiconductorprocess can be fabricated along with other modules, or portions thereof,that are also fabricated using the high voltage semiconductor processonto a single semiconductor substrate, chip, and/or die. Some of thesemodules, or portions thereof, that operate at greater power speeds canbe fabricated using the low voltage semiconductor process. Some of thesemodules, or portions thereof, that are fabricated using the low voltagesemiconductor process can be fabricated along with other modules, orportions thereof, that are also fabricated using the low voltagesemiconductor process onto a single semiconductor substrate, chip,and/or die.

The WPT enabled communication device 500 includes a combined frontend/PMU module 502, a combined baseband/NFC controller module 504, acombined RF/WLAN/Bluetooth/GPS module 506, and a secure element 508which are communicatively coupled to one another via a communicationinterface 510. The WPT enabled communication device 500 can represent anexemplary embodiment of the WPT enabled communication device 400. Assuch, the combined front end/PMU module 502, the combined baseband/NFCcontroller module 504, and the combined RF/WLAN/Bluetooth/GPS module 506can represent an exemplary embodiment of the combined front end/PMUmodule 402, the combined baseband/NFC controller module 404, and thecombined RF/WLAN/Bluetooth/GPS module 406, respectively. Additionally,the WPT enabled communication device 500 can further include a hostprocessor such as the host processor 112. The host processor iscommunicatively coupled to the combined front end/PMU module 502, thecombined baseband/NFC controller module 504, the combinedRF/WLAN/Bluetooth/GPS module 506, and/or the secure element 508 via thecommunication interface 510.

The combined front end/PMU module 502 provides an interface between thecombined front end/PMU module 502 and another NFC capable device and/orwireless power transmitter in a substantially similar manner as thecombined front end/PMU module 402. The combined front end/PMU module 502includes a front end module 512 and a PMU 514.

The front end module 512 receives the received WPT signal 250 from thewireless power transmitter and derives or harvests power from thereceived WPT signal 250 to provide a harvested WPT power to a FEM-PMUcommunication interface 550 for routing to the PMU 514. In an exemplaryembodiment, the PMU 214 routes the harvested WPT power from the FEM-PMUcommunication interface 550 to the combined baseband/NFC controllermodule 504, the combined RF/WLAN/Bluetooth/GPS module 506, and/or othermodules within the WPT enabled communication device 500 via thecommunications interface 510 in a substantially similar manner as thefront end module 210.

Additionally, when the WPT enabled communication device 500 is operatingin the reader and/or tag modes of operation, the front end module 512receives the received NFC signal 254 from another NFC capable device ina substantially similar manner as the front end module 210. The frontend module 210 recovers then provides information and/or a harvested NFCpower from the received NFC signal 254 to a FEM-CI communicationinterface 552 for routing to the combined baseband/NFC controller module504, the combined RF/WLAN/Bluetooth/GPS module 506, and/or other moduleswithin the WPT enabled communication device 500 via the communicationsinterface 510 in a substantially similar manner as the front end module210. Optionally, the front end module 510 derives or harvests power fromthe received NFC signal 254 to provide a harvested NFC power to a NFCcontroller 516 of the combined baseband/NFC controller module 504 viathe FEM-CI communication interface 552 in a substantially similar manneras the front end module 210.

Further, the front end module 512 can receive information from thecombined baseband/NFC controller module 504, the combinedRF/WLAN/Bluetooth/GPS module 506, and/or other modules within the WPTenabled communication device 500 via the FEM-CI communication interface552. The front end module 512 can modulate its own magnetic field whenthe WPT enabled communication device 500 is operating in the reader modeof operation or the magnetic field generated by another NFC capabledevice when the WPT enabled communication device 500 with theinformation to provide the transmitted NFC signals 256 in asubstantially similar manner as the front end module 210.

The PMU 514 is responsible for battery and power system management ofthe combined baseband/NFC controller module 504 and/or the WPT enabledcommunication device 500 in a substantially similar manner as the PMU214. The PMU 514 receives various power signals from the front endmodule 512, the combined baseband/NFC controller module 504, thecombined RF/WLAN/Bluetooth/GPS module 506, and/or other modules withinthe WPT enabled communication device 500 from the FEM-PMU communicationinterface 550 and/or the communication interface 510 via a PMU-CIcommunication interface 554. Additionally, the PMU 214 can use the powersignals received from the FEM-PMU communication interface 550 and/or thePMU-CI communication interface 554 to monitor power connections andbattery charges and/or to charge batteries when necessary. Further, thePMU 214 can use the power signals received from the FEM-PMUcommunication interface 550 and/or the PMU-CI communication interface554 to control and/or to provide other power signals to the FEM-PMUcommunication interface 550 and/or the PMU-CI communication interface554 to provide power to the front end module 512, the combinedbaseband/NFC controller module 504, the combined RF/WLAN/Bluetooth/GPSmodule 506, and/or other modules within the WPT enabled communicationdevice 500 via the communication interface 510.

The combined baseband/NFC controller module 504 controls cellular andNFC communications of the WPT enabled communication device 500 in asubstantially similar manner as the combined baseband/NFC controllermodule 404. The combined baseband/NFC controller module 504 includes theNFC controller 516 and a baseband module 518. The NFC controller 516controls overall operation and/or configuration of the NFCcommunications of the WPT enabled communication device 500 in asubstantially similar manner as the NFC controller 212. The NFCcontroller 516 receives information and/or the harvested NFC power fromthe combined front end/PMU module 502, the baseband module 518, thecombined RF/WLAN/Bluetooth/GPS module 506, and/or other modules withinthe WPT enabled communication device 500 from a CI-CTRLR communicationinterface 556. Additionally, the NFC controller 212 can route theinformation and/or the harvested NFC power to the CI-CTRLR communicationinterface 556 for routing to the combined front end/PMU module 502, thebaseband module 518, the combined RF/WLAN/Bluetooth/GPS module 506,and/or other modules within the WPT enabled communication device 500 viathe communication interface 510.

The baseband module 518 controls overall operation and/or configurationof the cellular communications of the WPT enabled communication device500 in a substantially similar manner as the NFC controller 216. Thebaseband module 216 receives information from the NFC controller 516,the combined front end/PMU module 502, the combinedRF/WLAN/Bluetooth/GPS module 506, and/or other modules within the WPTenabled communication device 500 from a CI-BB communication interface558. Additionally, the baseband module 216 can provide information tothe CI-BB communication interface 558 for routing to the NFC controller516, the combined front end/PMU module 502, the combinedRF/WLAN/Bluetooth/GPS module 506, and/or other modules within the WPTenabled communication device 500 via the communication interface 510.

The combined RF/WLAN/Bluetooth/GPS module 506 provides cellular,wireless network, and Bluetooth communication in a substantially similarmanner as the RF/WLAN/Bluetooth/GPS module 406, respectively.Additionally, the combined RF/WLAN/Bluetooth/GPS module 506 cancalculate the position of the WPT enabled communication device 500 in asubstantially similar manner as the RF/WLAN/Bluetooth/GPS module 406.The combined RF/WLAN/Bluetooth/GPS module 506 includes a radio frequencymodule 520, a WLAN module 522, a Bluetooth module 524, and a GPS module526.

The radio frequency module 520 downconverts, demodulates, and/or decodesreceived cellular communication signals to provide information to aRF-CI communication interface 558 for routing to the combined frontend/PMU module 502, the combined baseband/NFC controller module 504, theWLAN module 522, the Bluetooth module 524, the GPS module 526 and/orother modules within the WPT enabled communication device 500 via thecommunication interface 510 in a substantially similar manner as theradio frequency module 218. Additionally, the radio frequency module 520upconverts, modulates, and/or encodes information received from thecombined front end/PMU module 502, the combined baseband/NFC controllermodule 504, the WLAN module 522, the Bluetooth module 524, the GPSmodule 526 and/or other modules within the WPT enabled communicationdevice 500 via the RF-CI communication interface 558 to providetransmitted cellular communication signals in a substantially similarmanner as the radio frequency module 218.

The WLAN module 522 provides wireless communication between the WPTenabled communication device 500 and another WLAN capable device over awired and/or wireless communication network in accordance with variousnetworking protocols in a substantially similar manner as the WLANmodule 114. The WLAN module 522 can receive information from thecombined front end/PMU module 502, the combined baseband/NFC controllermodule 504, the radio frequency module 520, the Bluetooth module 524,the GPS module 526 and/or other modules within the WPT enabledcommunication device 500 via the RF-CI communication interface 558.Additionally, the WLAN module 522 can provide information to the RF-CIcommunication interface 558 for routing to the combined front end/PMUmodule 502, the combined baseband/NFC controller module 504, the radiofrequency module 520, the Bluetooth module 524, the GPS module 526and/or other modules within the WPT enabled communication device 500 viathe communication interface 510.

The Bluetooth module 524 provides wireless communication between the WPTenabled communication device 500 and another Bluetooth capable device inaccordance with various Bluetooth or Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)standards in a substantially similar manner as the Bluetooth module 104.The Bluetooth module 524 can receive information from the combined frontend/PMU module 502, the combined baseband/NFC controller module 504, theradio frequency module 520, the WLAN module 522, the GPS module 526and/or other modules within the WPT enabled communication device 500 viathe RF-CI communication interface 558. Additionally, the Bluetoothmodule 524 can provide information to the RF-CI communication interface558 for routing to the combined front end/PMU module 502, the combinedbaseband/NFC controller module 504, the WLAN module 522, the Bluetoothmodule 524, the GPS module 526 and/or other modules within the WPTenabled communication device 500 via the communication interface 510.

The GPS module 526 receives various signals from various satellites tocalculate a position of the WPT enabled communication device 500 in asubstantially similar manner as the GPS module 106. The GPS module 526can receive information from the combined front end/PMU module 502, thecombined baseband/NFC controller module 504, the radio frequency module520, the WLAN module 522, the Bluetooth module 524, and/or other moduleswithin the WPT enabled communication device 500 via the RF-CIcommunication interface 558. Additionally, the GPS module 526 canprovide information to the RF-CI communication interface 558 for routingto the combined front end/PMU module 502, the combined baseband/NFCcontroller module 504, the WLAN module 522, the Bluetooth module 524,and/or other modules within the WPT enabled communication device 500 viathe communication interface 510.

The secure element 508 securely stores applications and/or informationwithin the WPT enabled communication device 500 and provides for anenvironment to secure execution of these applications in a substantiallysimilar manner as the secure element 110. The secure element 206 canreceive the applications and/or the information from the combined frontend/PMU module 502, the combined baseband/NFC controller module 504, thecombined RF/WLAN/Bluetooth/GPS module 506, and/or other modules withinthe WPT enabled communication device 500 from the communicationinterface 510 via a SE-CI communication interface 560. The secureelement 206 can provide the information and/or other informationgenerated by to applications to the SE-CI communication interface 560for routing onto the combined front end/PMU module 502, the combinedbaseband/NFC controller module 504, the combined RF/WLAN/Bluetooth/GPSmodule 506, and/or other modules within the WPT enabled communicationdevice 500 via the communication interface 510.

CONCLUSION

It is to be appreciated that the Detailed Description section, and notthe Abstract section, is intended to be used to interpret the claims.The Abstract section can set forth one or more, but not all exemplaryembodiments, of the disclosure, and thus, are not intended to limit thedisclosure and the appended claims in any way.

The disclosure has been described above with the aid of functionalbuilding blocks illustrating the implementation of specified functionsand relationships thereof. The boundaries of these functional buildingblocks have been arbitrarily defined herein for the convenience of thedescription. Alternate boundaries can be defined so long as thespecified functions and relationships thereof are appropriatelyperformed.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art(s) that variouschanges in form and detail can be made therein without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the disclosure. Thus the disclosure should notbe limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, butshould be defined only in accordance with the following claims and theirequivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A front end module (FEM) that is implemented aspart of a wireless power transfer (WPT) enabled communication device,comprising: an antenna module configured to inductively receive a nearfield communication (NPC) signal and a WPT signal; a first powerharvesting module configured to derive a first harvested power from theNFC signal, wherein the first power harvesting module is furtherconfigured to provide the first harvested power to another module of theWPT enable communication device; and a second power harvesting moduleconfigured to derive a second harvested power from the WPT signal,wherein the second power harvesting module is further configured toprovide the second harvested power to the other module of the WPTenabled communication device.
 2. The FEM of claim 1, wherein the antennamodule comprises: a first inductive coupling element configured to betuned to receive the NFC signal; and a second inductive coupling elementconfigured to be tuned to receive the WPT signal.
 3. The FEM of claim 1,wherein the antenna module comprises: a single inductive couplingelement configured to be tuned to receive the NPC signal and the WPTsignal.
 4. The FEM of claim 3, wherein the single inductive couplingelement is configured to resonate at a first frequency to receive theNFC signal and a second frequency to receive the WPT signal.
 5. The FEMof claim 1, wherein the first power harvesting module or the secondpower harvesting module comprises: a rectifier configured to rectify theNFC signal to provide a rectified NFC power or the WPT signal to providea rectified WPT power, respectively; and a regulator to regulate therectified NFC power to provide the first harvested power or therectified WPT power to provide the second harvested power, respectively.6. The FEM of claim 1, further comprising: a modulator configured tomodulate information in accordance with a modulation technique toprovide a modulated information signal; and a demodulator configured todemodulate the NFC signal in accordance with a demodulation technique torecover information from the NFC signal, wherein the antenna module isfurther configured to use the modulated information signal to generate amagnetic field to provide a transmitted communication signal.
 7. The FEMof claim 1, wherein the WPT enabled communication device comprises: oneor more first semiconductor substrates, chips, and/or dies fabricatedusing a low voltage semiconductor process; and one or more secondsemiconductor substrates, chips, and/or dies fabricated using a highvoltage semiconductor process, wherein the FEM is fabricated onto theone or more second semiconductor substrates, chips, and/or dies.
 8. TheFEM of claim 7, wherein the FEM is coupled to an NFC controller, the NFCcontroller being fabricated onto the one or more second semiconductorsubstrates, chips, and/or dies.
 9. A wireless power transfer (WPN)enabled communication device, comprising: one or more firstsemiconductor substrates, chips, and/or dies fabricated using a lowvoltage semiconductor process, the one or more first semiconductorsubstrates, chips, and/or dies comprising a near field communication(NFC) controller; and one or more second semiconductor substrates,chips, and/or dies fabricated using a high voltage semiconductorprocess, the one or more second semiconductor substrates, chips, and/ordies comprising a front end module (FEM), the FEM comprising: an antennamodule configured to inductively receive an NFC signal and a WPT signal;a first power harvesting module configured to derive a first harvestedpower from the NFC signal; and a second power harvesting moduleconfigured to derive a second harvested power from the WPT signal. 10.The WPT enabled communication device of claim 9, wherein the antennamodule comprises: a first inductive coupling element configured to betuned to receive the NFC signal; and a second inductive coupling elementconfigured to be tuned to receive the WPT signal.
 11. The WPT enabledcommunication device of claim 9, wherein the antenna module comprises: asingle inductive coupling element configured to be tuned to receive theNFC signal and the WPT signal.
 12. The WPT enabled communication deviceof claim 11, wherein the single inductive coupling element is configuredto resonate at a first frequency to receive the NFC signal and a secondfrequency to receive the WPT signal.
 13. The WPT enabled communicationdevice of claim 9, wherein the first power harvesting module or thesecond power harvesting module comprises: a rectifier configured torectify the NFC signal to provide a rectified NFC power or the WPTsignal to provide a rectified WPT power, respectively and a regulator toregulate the rectified NFC power to provide the first harvested power orthe rectified WPT power to provide the second harvested power,respectively.
 14. The WPT enabled communication device of claim 13,wherein the first power harvesting module is further configured toprovide the first harvested power to another module of the WPT enabledcommunication device, and wherein the second power harvesting module isfurther configured to provide the second harvested power to the othermodule of the WPT enabled communication device.
 15. The WPT enabledcommunication device of claim 9, further comprising: a modulatorconfigured to modulate information in accordance with a modulationtechnique to provide a modulated information signal; and a demodulatorconfigured to demodulate the NFC signal in accordance with ademodulation technique to recover information from the NFC signal,wherein the antenna module is further configured to use the modulatedinformation signal to generate a magnetic field to provide a transmittedcommunication signal.
 16. A semiconductor substrate, chip, and/or die,comprising: a front end module (FEM), the FEM comprising: an antennamodule configured to inductively receive a near field communication(NFC) signal and a wireless power transfer (WPT) signal; a first powerharvesting module configured to derive a first harvested power from theNFC signal, wherein the first power harvesting module is furtherconfigured to provide the first harvested power to another module of thesemiconductor substrate, chip, and/or die; and a second power harvestingmodule configured to derive a second harvested power from the WPTsignal, wherein the second power harvesting module is further configuredto provide the second harvested power to the other module of the thesemiconductor substrate, chip, and/or die; and an NFC controller. 17.The semiconductor substrate, chip, and/or die of claim 16, wherein theantenna module comprises: a first inductive coupling element configuredto be tuned to receive the NFC signal; and a second inductive couplingelement configured to be tuned to receive the WPT signal.
 18. Thesemiconductor substrate, chip, and/or die of claim 16, wherein theantenna module comprises: a single inductive coupling element configuredto be tuned to receive the NFC signal and the WPT signal.
 19. Thesemiconductor substrate, chip, and/or die of claim 18, wherein thesingle inductive coupling element is configured to resonate at a firstfrequency to receive the NFC signal and a second frequency to receivethe WPT signal.